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Message said in part, re: medical evidence: "Evidence is growing that cigarette smoking and nicotine may prevent or ameliorate Parkinson's disease, and could do so in Alzheimer's dementia. A variety of mechanisms for potentially beneficial effects of smoking have been proposed, but three predominate: the 'anti-estrogenic effect' of smoking; alterations in prostaglandin production; and stimulation of nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the central nervous system. Even established inverse associations cannot be used as a rationale for cigarette smoking. These data can be used, however, to clarify mechanisms of disease, and point to productive treatment or preventive options with more narrowly-acting interventions." So far most of what has been said seems to focus ultimately on nicotine itself. I would never personally consider smoking as an option short of it promising a cure or complete halt to my progression of PK, but I'd sure look at gum, snuff, patch, or some other less clearly unhealthful way of taking in nicotine if this research proves out.